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Should You Keep a Pain Journal After a Car Accident?

Have you or a loved one recently been in a car accident and suffered injuries? You’re entitled to claim accident benefits for your damages. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve, you should consider keeping a pain journal. Here’s what you need to know.


a man in a wheelchair working at his desk

What’s A Pain Journal?

A pain journal is a written record of your pain experiences. It’s a personal journal where you can record the details of your accident and any medical treatment and expenses you’ve incurred because of it.


How Keeping A Pain Journal Can Help Your Case

The injuries sustained in car accidents can range from mild to severe. However, even seemingly minor injuries may not always be immediately apparent and can be difficult to diagnose and slow to heal. Although some symptoms can appear immediately after the incident, others take days or months to emerge. Consequently, full recovery may require costly ongoing treatment. In some cases, you may not be able to work while you heal from your injuries.


An essential part of receiving compensation for your injuries is maintaining an accurate record of all your medical treatment and expenses. A pain journal is one of the best ways to prove how your injuries have affected your life. Writing everything down can also help you remember important details, track your symptoms and strengthen the medical documentation in your case.


What To Include In A Pain Journal

The first thing you should write in your journal is everything you can remember about the accident, including details like the date, time and location of the incident, as well as the weather and traffic conditions.


It’s a good idea to make an entry at least once a day and whenever you experience a pain episode. Make sure to include the following information:


  • Describe how the pain feels and where it’s located

  • Rate your pain using a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least severe and 10 the most severe)

  • Explain what you were doing when the pain set in and how it affects your daily life

  • Talk about the treatments you’re receiving and medications you’re taking

  • You can also take images of your injuries to show how they’ve changed over time. Make sure to document all lacerations, scarring and bruising.


You can also take images of your injuries to show how they’ve changed over time.


It’s best to start keeping your pain journal as soon as possible after the accident. This will capture your freshest memory of the details of your injuries and ensure your pain and suffering are accurately recorded.


Personal Injury Lawyer In Lindsay

If you're dealing with life-altering impacts from injuries sustained in a car accident, the personal injury lawyers at Kelly Greenway Bruce can help. We’ll represent your best interests and help you collect the information you need to build a strong case. We don’t request retainers and won’t charge you any fees until we win your case. For a free case evaluation, contact us today at our Oshawa or Lindsay location.

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